Washington: The National Guard is being told to prepare for the possibility that those plotting attacks on the US Capitol during Joe Biden’s swearing-in program will be using improvised explosive devices and heavily armed.
According to the Daily Mail, the troops were briefed on the IED threats after pipe bombs were uncovered in the aftermath of last week’s deadly siege on the US Capitol, sources told Politico.
A total of 20,000 national guardsmen have now been asked to land on Washington to help protect the capital before Biden’s swearing-in. DC already has 6,200 troops stationed there. By Saturday, it will be at least 10,000.
Troops are now allowed to carry handcuffs and rifles after being authorized to carry only security equipment. Hundreds of National Guard members were seen sleeping on the floor of the Capitol Building with their rifles and riot gear.
Later on Wednesday, Republican lawmakers Mike Waltz and Vicky Hartzler handed out boxes of pizza to those troops in the Capitol. Hartzler was among the Republicans branded the ‘treason caucus’ for objecting to Biden’s win after the Capitol riots. It is believed to be the first time troops have set up camp in the Capitol since the Civil War.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi addressed soldiers outside the Capitol Building thanking them for their service, when the House of Representatives began a debate on President Trump for a second impeachment.